New Delhi, December 18 – India's official entry for the 97th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature category, Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao, is no longer in the running for the Oscars 2025.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced on Wednesday morning that Laapataa Ladies failed to make it to the shortlist of 15 films competing for a place in the final five nominees.
'Santosh' Makes the Cut
Meanwhile, British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri’s film Santosh has secured a spot on the coveted shortlist. The film, featuring Indian actresses Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar, joins an impressive lineup that includes France’s Emilia Pérez, Brazil’s I Am Still Here, Canada’s Universal Language, the Czech Republic’s Waves, Denmark’s The Girl with the Needle, and Germany’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig.
Final Nominations to Be Announced on January 17
The Academy will reveal the final nominations for the Oscars on January 17, 2025, marking the next milestone in the race for the prestigious awards.
India’s Hopes Dashed
In September, the Film Federation of India (FFI) unanimously selected Laapataa Ladies as the country's official submission for the Oscars. The Hindi-language film, directed by Kiran Rao, explores unique narratives rooted in rural India. However, it was unable to advance to the next stage of the competition.
A Hopeful Note
Despite this setback, Indian cinema continues to make its mark on the global stage with Santosh representing a strong contender for the Academy Awards. The inclusion of Santosh highlights the growing recognition of diverse Indian talents in international cinema.
